The importance of a Common Data Environment

"The right data, at the right time, for the right people. That's the foundation of a Common Data Environment (CDE), and it's reshaping how we deliver infrastructure."

At Digital Construction Week on the Leica Geosystems part of Hexagon stand, Peter Haddock caught up with Tom Neighbours from 12d Synergy.

He explained how their approach to a CDE is helping to tackle the issue of 'disconnected systems', one of the industry's biggest challenges. 

Tom: "We live in an ecosystem of systems. The real challenge is getting them to talk to each other."

"In complex project lifecycles, from design to construction to delivery, every discipline relies on access to accurate, timely information. However, when systems fail to communicate, risk creeps in. 

"For example, you can have people working on old versions of models and siloed teams that are unable to share information. 

"At 12d Synergy, we are data agnostic, which means we can develop a workflow driven approach to data integrating multiple sources from different technologies. 

"Taking Leica Geosystems 3D machine control as an example. Once data is approved, it can be sent automatically to the operator's machine and the site manager's tablet and accessed by all other stakeholders.

"This is more than simple file sharing. I call it CDE 2.0, which is basically interconnected environments that ensure verified, auditable data flows to the field in real-time, reducing rework and unlocking efficiency.

"In practical terms, this stops people asking, 'Is this the right data? Is this the latest version?'

"With 12D Synergy, that uncertainty disappears."